Mac and Cheese

Perhaps the ultimate comfort food, this vegan version of Baked Mac and Cheeze from blog 86 Lemons is a dairy-free dinner charmer that relies on items you can find at any grocery store. The creamy sauce comes together by puréeing simmered vegetables, Dijon mustard, and a handful of cashew nuts.

Meatball Sub

The blog Sunday Morning Banana Pancakes tantalizes with a walnut bella "meatball" sub, combining walnuts and baby portobella mushrooms to replicate the traditional version's substantial chew. The mixture is held together by a "flax egg"—ground flaxseed and warm water.

Bacon

"Vegans will make bacon out of anything," tweeted author Isa Chandra, which inspired blog Olives for Dinner to knock out a version of savory Shiitake Bacon strips using mushrooms, olive oil, salt, liquid smoke, and sesame oil. Other vegan swaps for bacon include eggplant, coconut, and firm tofu.

Spinach Artichoke Dip

Party pleaser: Creamy Artichoke Spinach Dip from blog 86 Lemons begs for crudite, crusty bread, or chips to scoop up its full, velvety texture. Make it in three steps with easy-to-find vegan staples like lemon juice, non-dairy milk, cashews, garlic, and mustard along with artichoke hearts and spinach.

Clam Chowder

This Healthy "Clam" Chowder on blog 86 Lemons goes vegan with cubed oyster mushrooms and a splash of liquid smoke. The "chowdah" base includes soy milk, soy creamer, and one secret ingredient: raw cashews soaked overnight in salted water to lend a distinctly creamy consistency to the blended broth.

Sushi Rolls

Maki Rolls are stuffed with fried sweet potatoes (dredged in Panko bread crumbs) and avocado inside a sesame seed-studded roll in this recipe from the blog Sunday Morning Banana Pancakes. To serve, dunk each morsel in an "eel sauce" made from mirin, tamari, and granulated sugar.

Crab Cakes

For an inventive vegan spin on crab cakes, the blog Olives for Dinner created Farro "Crab" Cakes recipe, using the nutty grain farro, and combining it with shallots, Old Bay seasoning, dill, bell peppers, and Ritz crackers (yes, they're vegan!).